Youthful Days (Book 1)

27. Alphas

Stone-faced, Atobe watched the bleachers on Seigaku's side with a sick obsession. It was wrong in every single way for him to feel this incensed, to the point of being utterly inattentive to his team.

"Looks like we finally know why that girl seemed so sure of herself at street tennis," Oshitari's voice tugged Atobe back to reality.

"Who's this 'girl' you're talking about?" Gakuto piped up curiously.

"That girl." Oshitari motioned towards the petite figure decked in blue and white. "Seems like she's dating the prodigy, Fuji Shuusuke."

Gakuto scoffed at this. "Prodigy according to who? We'll see how he fares against Jiro in the next game."

Oshitari ignored his partner. Turning his attention to Hyotei's grouchy captain, he smiled crookedly. "Now, how about that, Atobe?"

"How about you go ahead and wake up Jiro?" Atobe shot back, regaining his regal poise and then darted one more glance at Fuji. Seeing him glow with confidence and happiness, he bore his teeth. "And be sure to remind him to crush Fuji Shuusuke, as he did his younger brother."

***

To Atobe's chagrin, not only did Akutagawa Jiro fail to pummel Fuji Shuusuke, but he also suffered a humiliating loss of 1-6. It was evident from the beginning that victory belonged to Seigaku. Fuji easily snagged the first game with the Disappearing Serve—a modified cut serve with additional spin, designed to vanish right before his opponent strikes. It was a maneuver unknown to his teammates, and one never before seen by any of the spectators.

This tactic alone was insufficient against Jiro, who had extraordinary reflexes and managed to return Fuji's serve after losing the first round. What nobody predicted, however, was to see Fuji reveal the last of his Triple Counters: the White Whale. This technique was a slice lob with accelerated backspin that curved upward before coming in contact with the opponent's racket. It would then rapidly drop off to the baseline before rebounding to Fuji again. By taking advantage of the wind that drove this shot, Fuji won the rest of the game and secured a clean victory for Seigaku.

It was a win that left onlookers discombobulated and speechless. No moves remotely close to these two had ever been witnessed at the regional tournaments. This match, then, put the overall score in Seigaku's favor and temporarily brought doubt to Hyotei's supporters.

As the referee announced for singles one set-up, an even deeper hush descended upon the courts. While Atobe mysteriously vanished, Tezuka had called on Echizen to step out with him for a pre-game warm-up.

Ayuna watched the captain leave, feeling as if her heart had been tossed into a hot pan. While others bubbled with optimism for another definite win, Ayuna felt the exact opposite. As the captain's game drew close, the ominous premonition she felt began to stir violently, rising from the bottom of her heart and signaling a catastrophe. She sensed that his game wouldn't only be a simple loss, but something far worse.

Caught in a vortex of thoughts, she didn't notice Fuji until he retrieved his jacket from her hands. "My, this is the first time I've seen you spaced out like this. Nervous about the next game?"

Ayuna nodded, evading his inquisitive gaze.

"I suppose you aren't alone. Take a look outside." Following his gaze, she caught several stir-ups invading the court from all sides: the outer perimeter was filled with players wearing unfamiliar uniforms, patiently waiting for the next singles game to start.

"Those are our future rivals: teams who either have been champions or have previously dominated the championship are all here to watch. They're here to gauge Tezuka and Atobe's potential," explained Fuji.

Ayuna couldn't respond. The whispers around them grew louder as the spectator chattered amongst themselves, debating and pondering who would be the winner: the grandiose leader of Hyotei, or the reticent captain of Seigaku?

Fuji observed the ruckus around him in silence. In spite of his many years of friendship with Tezuka, he realized he didn't have an affirmative answer just like everyone else.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Atobe's grand entrance. Turning back to the court, he heard a chorus of chants thundering from all directions as soon as Atobe set foot inside. Amidst the excited screams and squeals from fangirls, there were also endless cheers of "Atobe, victory!" that synced with the rhythm of his steps.

Flashing a dazzling smile, Atobe bathed in the deafening applause and clamors for a minute before shrugging off his jersey. He let the crowd continue until even their echoes became the sound of his name, until it all mounted to a deafening uproar.

Only then did he raise his arm. With a single snap of his fingers, immediate silence descended upon the court and his followers clamped their mouths shut.

Chin held high, Atobe declared with a smirk, "Be awed at the sight of my prowess."

Shrieks and applauses once again erupted, rising to an earth-shattering decibel this time around. It was a standing ovation before a single shot was even played.

From Seigaku's side, all the regulars were dumbfounded by Hyotei's nearly zealous devotion to their captain.

Eyebrows twitching, Momoshiro muttered, "Man, that guy's seriously full of himself. His ego is bigger than this damn stadium!"

"That's completely expected," remarked Inui. "Atobe's ego isn't at all misguided, or unmerited, for that matter."

"What do you know, Inui-senpai? Spill!"

Flipping his little green book, Inui recited a detailed overview of their rival captain. "Atobe Keigo is a recognized national-level player. He single-handedly defeated all members of Hyotei's tennis team in his freshman year. Since then, he held the reigning title and reformed the club completely. In his second year, he also defeated Seigaku's then-captain as retaliation against Tezuka, who previously defeated Hyotei's then-captain."

"So there's historical rivalry!" exclaimed Eiji. "No wonder Tezuka looks all worked up!"

"That, and because Atobe is virtually flawless. Not only in tennis, but also life," added Inui. "Besides being the leader of the largest tennis club in our region, Atobe is also the Hyotei student council president, the all-around top student of his year, a connoisseur of classical music and a master of three languages: Japanese, English, and French.

On top of all this, he is also the sole heir to the venerated Atobe conglomerate. His family has one of the most prestigious pedigrees and is also a financial mogul that influences thousands of companies in the country. The number of real estates and assets they own is inconceivable to ordinary people like us."

Closing his book, Inui turned to Momoshiro, "Now do you understand why he seems so pompous?"

"No kidding! If I had half of his accomplishments, my ego would be inflated, too." Momoshiro grimaced, sneaking an uneasy glance at Ayuna. "No wonder the guy thinks he can get his hands on anything."

To this, Ayuna gave Momoshiro a furtive shake of the head, signaling for him to keep the incident at street tennis secret.

"I'd say he's already got his hands on everything," said Inui.

"What does this mean for us then, if Atobe Keigo is this strong?" demanded Eiji.

"Despite his impressive background, I wouldn't be so confident if I were Atobe," Fuji spoke up before Inui could form an answer. His eyes drifted to the court, where Tezuka had just made his inconspicuous entrance. His expressions were placid and determined as he walked up to the net to shake hands with Atobe, never once faltering.

Lips curved upwards, Fuji said, "If anything, Atobe should know that Tezuka is a player with immeasurable strength."